Captain David Compton is of unknown descent. He was born on May 10, 1756. He came to America with his two brothers sometime before the Revolution War. In “New York in the Revolution as Colony and State, Vol. I - Extracts”, J. B. Lyon Co, Albany, NY, 1904, page 74, it states that he was living in New York City, New York at an area called the Levies (Malcom) in 1776. It is thought he served in the Revolutionary War. He was only the second military captain in the area.
David supposedly married Abigail Prindle on March 9, 1779 at Smith's Cove, Monroe Township, Orange County, New York. Abigail Prindle was the daughter of Benjamin Prindle and Hannah Marshall. Abigail died in Orange County, New York, probably in childbirth.

David and Abigail had 2 children, both born in Orange County, New York:

Elizabeth (1780/8 - aft 12 June 1805)
James (13 Feb 1782 - 22 Mar 1867) m. Phebe Lamoreaux

David remarried after Abigail’s death to Phebe Carpenter probably about 1788, and then moved his family to Montgomery County (now Broome County), New York. David settled there four miles above Binghamton, in Chemung, near the river. He ran a tavern there on the Finch farm. One of his brothers, Joseph Compton, settled also near Binghamton, but on the south side of the river. The 1790 Federal Census for New York State, shows David living in Chemung Town, Montgomery County, New York as the head of a household consisting of 1 male over 10 (himself), two females (Phebe and Elizabeth), and 1 male under 10 (James).

David and Phebe had three children all born in Chenango Township, Tioga County, New York.

Ashmond ( - aft 12 June 1805)
John ( - aft 12 June 1805)
Sally (1796 - 31 May 1835) m. William Wentz

The names of his 2nd wife and children are listed in his will.

Peter Wentz was the father of William Wentz who married a daughter of David Compton. In "Record of the Descendants of Johann Jost Wentz", 1884, p 36, is states that

    "William Wentz second son of John Peter Wentz, was born in the town of Chenango (now Kirkwood), Broome County, N. Y., on February 18, 1794. Married Sally Compton, in the town of Chenango, on April 30th, 1815. Following are their children: … Phoebe Carpenter Wentz … Permela Sneden Wentz … Sally Compton Wentz, mother of this family, died at Binghamton, N. Y., on May 31st, 1835. Aged 38 years."

Based on this account, it is thought that David Compton's second wife may have been named Phebe Carpenter.

In the 1800 Federal Census for New York State, it shows David living in Chenango Township, Tioga County, New York as the head of a household consisting of 1 male between 26 and under 45 (himself), 1 female between 26 and under 45 (Phebe), 1 female between 16 and under 26 (Elizabeth), 1 male between 16 and under 26 (James), 2 males under 10 years of age (Ashman and John), and 1 female under 10 (Sally). He is living next door to Abraham "Smethkins" (Sneden), whose granddaughter married James.
David Compton's will was date June 12, 1805 in Conklin, Broome County, New York. He died in Tioga County, New York on August 24, 1805, and his will was probated on October 25, 1805. The will names his wife: Phebe; sons: James, Ashmond, and John; and daughters: Elizabeth and Sally. His wife, Phebe, was named executrix. The witnesses were James DeHasrt and Daniel Sneden.
David Compton is buried in the Layton Cemetery in the town of Kirkwood, Broome County, New York. His tombstone is the oldest dated in that cemetery.